Subwoofer EQ Tools

[Matt34]

The DCX is pretty simple to use, once you get an understanding of how everything is laid out....

Even better yet, if you have a USB to serial connection cable, you can use the windows remote software program and make all the adjustments on your computer - http://behringerdownload.de/_software/DCX2496_remote_1_16a.zip BTW you don't need to be hooked up to the DCX to play with it, just Download and run it.... this may be of help...

on this page.... This is for the DCX2496 (NOT the DEQ)
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DCX2496.aspx

Thanks Warp, I've played with that before but I still felt a little lost in the sauce.

 

[Tungsten06GT]

I have the DSP1124, and once you understand the process for setting up a filter, you can move very quickly through calibration. Let me try to explain the process in a few steps:

1. Press filter select, rotate dial to pick from filters 1-12.
2. Press filter mode, rotate dial to choose PA (parametric).
3. Press Frequency, rotate dial to choose one of the iso frequencies (these are laid out in a chart in the Behringer manual).
4. Press Fine and rotate dial to choose specific frequency (see chart again).
5. Press Bandwidth to select width of filter to be applied.
6. Press Gain and set gain.
7. Lastly, hit the Store button to save.

Then, you really just start the process over but choose a different filter. I followed the recommendation of another person and started by setting my lowest frequency, then did a frequency sweep to see the overall response. Once I was happy, I moved up to my next trouble spot and repeated. Try to get the smoothest response with the least amount of filters (it doesn't need to be ruler flat). Hope this helps someone!

 

[Warpdrv]

Possibly the biggest problem is setting up the "Bandwidth" or as Tungsten already pointed out the width of the filter being applied - other equipment may call this "Q" like on the DCX or the SMS-1.... REW is very helpful in this regard - because it will auto calculate when analyzing your sweep, and tell you how many cuts, at what freq, and what Bandwidth or "Q" if it knows what piece of equipment you are using.

We have come across problems with this before, (old REW) had values that it "suggests" when you want to apply EQ to smooth out and get a flat response, as to exactly how much "bandwidth" it will apply for the 1124, but the DCX has "Q" and the values didn't coincide with the changes it suggested for the 1124.... We had to guess at it quite a bit to get EQ right. Had we know at the time we could have just used the Crown unit in the pull down list of REW John suggested, it would have made our job much easier.

When John was rewriting the software, we brought this to his attention and he added the DCX as a device that would convert those values properly to input the proper "Q" applied to a certain freq.

You can see here the measurements of the different "Q" values applied in the DCX and the differences of the width with the same 10db cut....

From this post
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/rew-forum/29110-rew-v5-beta.html

 

[Warpdrv]

I think one thing that can help, is if your familiar with how the SMS-1 works, then basically all that information translates over to how the DCX works.

The Outlaw guide for the SMS-1 is a pretty simple explanation on usage - and if you get the idea through that unit, your def ahead of the game....

Read that guide, you don't really have to concentrate on the inputs and outputs, but more towards the explanation of how to adjust eq manually and the effect q will have on your adjustments....

 

[GranteedEV]

****. I just ordered a MiniDSP =_=;;

I don't even have measurement equipment!
And i blew an extra 20 bucks on the balanced one.

 

[sholling]

Friday is going to be a busy day. My 1124 should be here and my XPA-2.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks Warp, I've played with that before but I still felt a little lost in the sauce.

Try this link:
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/bfdguide/

Back in 06 this may have been a stand alone page.

You may have to read it a few times to get the hang of the operation. Once you get the picture how to select and input the needed corrections it is easy Getting there is not simple; wasn't for me either.

Best to get a Fr plot of the sub first down to the individual frequency or two, then apply the corrections where needed in the center of groups of frequencies. Trial and error.

Took me weeks to get the two subs set up.
Tried one sub, then the other by themselves. Unfortunately the combination had yet another curve that wasn't very flat. So, I combined the two and applied the same to both. Now it is flat. And, I forgot how to use the thing since 06

 

[KEW]

****. I just ordered a MiniDSP =_=;;

I don't even have measurement equipment!
And i blew an extra 20 bucks on the balanced one.

Cool!

Looking forward to your upcoming review and photos!

 

[majorloser]

I can't possibly imagine that the mini dsp would not be a great little device, being so completely simple to program. USB integration....

Do you have a measurement system in place... REW ?

I have yet to ever get REW implemented properly for myself, my buddy (Nuance) always came over to help me with his rig.. but I'm going to be picking up the Dayton OmniMic System, Simple - USB Mic and software, no preamps or calibrating necessary..... should be avail on the 12th of Jan....

Some good Discussion on it over at AVS...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1293353

I just got an e-mail from Parts Distress that the OmniMic is in stock.

I just placed my order.

I also ordered a Dayton EMM-6 mic, so I guess I'll finally start getting my room straightened out instead of depending upon the UMC-1 to do it for me.

 

[Warpdrv]

I just got an e-mail from Parts Distress that the OmniMic is in stock.

I just placed my order.

I also ordered a Dayton EMM-6 mic, so I guess I'll finally start getting my room straightened out instead of depending upon the UMC-1 to do it for me.

What are you going to use the EMM-6 Mic for.... REW?

I ordered my OMNI on friday, so It should be shipping out today, and I'll get it tomorrow... I'm very much looking forward to the ease of setup and function on that unit...

 

[Warpdrv]

^^^^ huh ^^^^

 

[majorloser]

What are you going to use the EMM-6 Mic for.... REW?

I'll use it with REW when I get a phantom power source for my laptop. I can also use it with my DEQ2496 since it has an RTA built in.

Just more toys that I have no idea how to use.

 

[majorloser]

Figures, My Luck....

I am sooooooo PO'd

Parts Distress backordered my OmniMic. I placed the ordered as soon as I received the e-mail, the site showed it "in stock" and my order was confirmed.

Of course they send the other items I ordered, including the RED FURY POCKET SPEAKER . yippee

 

[GranteedEV]

wow! I just ordered the mini DSP a few days ago and it's already in. Usually orders coming all the way from down town will take foreverrrrrrr.

I have to give "DSP4you LIMITED" (which is what it says on the box) credit. That was faster than some orders from the states and even within canada.

 

[sholling]

wow! I just ordered the mini DSP a few days ago and it's already in. Usually orders coming all the way from down town will take foreverrrrrrr.

I have to give "DSP4you LIMITED" (which is what it says on the box) credit. That was faster than some orders from the states and even within canada.

I'll look forward to your impressions. I've got a mic and phantom power/USB device on the way.

 

[GranteedEV]

I'll look forward to your impressions. I've got a mic and phantom power/USB device on the way.

My first impression is that these guys mean business. Everything feels quality, from the website, to the aluminum case, to the instruction manual. The customer service seems to respond to feedback from end-users, which is a big difference from a big company.

My second impression is that I need to figure out how this thing works

 

[Warpdrv]

Major,

I haven't really posted my impressions of the Omnimic, but I'm not very thrilled to death about it, I'll likely be sending it back and getting REW setup with Emm-6 and phantom power device.

 

[KEW]

Major,

I haven't really posted my impressions of the Omnimic, but I'm not very thrilled to death about it, I'll likely be sending it back and getting REW setup with Emm-6 and phantom power device.

Sorry to hear that.
Any idea when you might find time to elaborate on your experience?

Thanks!

 

[sholling]

My second impression is that I need to figure out how this thing works

There is supposed to be a tie-in with REW to ease the pain.

http://www.minidsp.com/applications/auto-eq-with-rew

 

[Warpdrv]

Sorry to hear that.
Any idea when you might find time to elaborate on your experience?

Thanks!

I just wasn't happy with the software interface - it won't go full screen, resolution is sub par.... I mean its a program that is in a window so small, less then half the real-estate of my laptop screen.

You can only play a freq sweep, which plays over and over again, and you watch the response on screen, and take a snapshot of it by clicking a button. I just like how REW lets you initiate a sweep sent from the laptop and then it shows the final response which to me seems to have a little better resolution IMO. I think for $300 the software should be far more robust.

I don't know, I guess its just not a GUI that I am comfortable with. User setup was flawless and what REW should be, but there is no USB calibrated mic avail at this time for such things. Maybe someday some co will come up with a mic kit that will facilitate something like that happening. If they improve the software for the Omnimic I'd be willing to use it....

As much as I don't like having all the extra hardware to make the sweeps happen, I'll take REW for now......